Chester
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Chester
Origin/History
Originated in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Also known as Chester Red Streak (Downing).
Tree
Not described in sources.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium, oblate.
Stem: Short, inserted in a broad, shallow cavity (Elliott).
Cavity: Broad, shallow (Elliott).
Calyx: Closed (Elliott).
Basin: Broad, open (Elliott).
Skin: Whitish yellow, sometimes with a sunny cheek, and sprinkled with carmine dots. Thomas additionally notes greenish russet, not mentioned by the other sources.
Flesh and Flavor: Flesh white (Downing). Crisp (Elliott, Thomas), tender, and juicy (Downing, Elliott), with a pleasant subacid flavor. Aromatic (Downing only). Rated Good (Downing, Thomas).
Core and Seeds: Not described in sources.
Season
November to December (Downing, Elliott). Thomas gives "early winter," consistent with the same window.
Uses
Not described in sources.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in sources.
Other
Not described in sources.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Chester. Chester Red Streak. Origin, Chester Co., Pa. Fruit medium, oblate, whitish yellow, sometimes with a sunny cheek and sprinkled with carmine dots. Flesh white, tender, juicy, pleasant, subacid, aromatic. Good. November to December.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Chester.
Origin, Chester Co., Pa. Fruit, medium, oblate ; skin, whitish yellow, sometimes with a sunny cheek, and sprinkled with carmine dots ; stalk, short, inserted in a broad shallow cavity : calyx, closed, set in broad open basin ; flesh, crisp, tender, juicy, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor. November, December.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Chester. Medium, oblate, whitish yellow, carmine dots; greenish russet; crisp, tender, sub-acid. Good. Early winter. Pa.